February 05, 2014 - I remember there was a time -- actually most of my adult life -- when I would grow a facial hair. Yep, back before the TV show Duck Dynasty made beards popular, yours truly had a nice, manicured one. I guess that puts me ahead of the curve on the men's fashion list.

Sometimes I would just grow it in the fall. Sometimes I would grow it for the winter. And, some years I had it even in the hot summer months. I shaved it off about six or seven years ago because the red beard that I knew and loved, was invaded by patches o' gray -- most noticeably right on my chin.

Youngest son, Sean, said with his little boy voice that he didn't like it that I had removed the beard. "I hope you grow it back soon."

I remember thinking, "Thanks, you little six-year-old puke. I like the way your face looks, too." I said nothing and to show my independence didn't grow it back . . .

. . . until this weekend.

I wondered how much gray has crept in said beard? So, this past Saturday I just shaved under the jowls and on top of the cheeks. It's kinda of an experiment on aging. I will report back in a few weeks.

* * *

A few weeks ago Clarkston attorney Henry Woloson faxed me over an interesting article/column from The Wall Street Journal. Penned by Gerald F. Seib. The story was headlined, New Push To Bridge Gaps. Wrote, Seib:

" . . . No Labels is a movement, now three years old, of Democrats, Republicans and independents, from inside Congress and out, dedicated to the simple proposition that partisans in Washington ought to start talking to one another again across the divides -- and that voters ought to start demanding such behavior."

Until Henry sent me the fax, I ain't never heard of such a group, especially a group that has no labels. (Note to kids at home: Don't use no double negatives on your school work, or your English teachers will hunt me down and kick my butt for being a bad writing influence.)

According to the column, 90 members of Congress have signed up for the No Labels' "Problem Solvers Caucus."

They have a three year plan, that started with the release of a "publication" called No Labels: A Shared Vision for America.

I don't know if this group will get any traction. They are not a third party, not a tea party and not part of the 99-percenter far left, whacko crowd. They're in the middle and being in the middle is sorta' bland. It's not sexy. It's like eating milk toast. Blach!

Who knows?

The political pendulum has swung right and it's swung left, maybe it is time for a good stroke in the middle. I need somebody to look into these guys for me and then get back as I am too busy watching the gray sprout from my face.

So, we all endured yet another Super Bowl "extravaganza." Wasn't it swell? Here are the thoughts I jotted down during and after Super Bowl 48.

1. Lions.

2. Bruno?

3. Ouch.

1. I hurt me to watch that game. Over the past forever years every Detroit Lions fans has seen this game. It was like de ja vu all over again, save for the team uniforms weren't colored Honolulu blue and silver -- just orange, royal blue and white.

It was painful from the first snap that went over quarterback Payton Manning's head to the end whistle with the Seattle Seahawks defeating Denver, 43-8. The way the Li -- I mean Broncos lost is every way the Lions have lost every big game they've ever played since 1958: Embarrassingly.

I felt bad for the Denver fans, but not really that much.

2. I only knew the name of the half time act Bruno Mars when they introduced he and his crew would perform. I think that was a few months ago. Holy cow! What a good act. Not such a good act that I would shell $60 bucks for a ticket to watch him perform live, but good nonetheless. And, if you want to watch him perform, he'll be in Michigan in June. Tickets, I hear, went on sale the day after Super Sunday . . . Hangover Monday.

3. I don't have problems with Hangover Monday these days, but I did notice traffic wasn't so bad first thing Monday morning. Do a lot of local folks take off work or come in late the day after the SuperBowl? I read that some 1.5 million Americans will call in sick on Hangover Monday, costing American companies something like $820 million in lost productivity.

Ouch!

The Puritan in me keeps asking, "Why don't they just play the game on Saturday?"

Then the capitalist in me keeps answering, "Profits. Playing the day on Saturday means one less day of making money for the National Football League."

Ah. Nuff said.

Don is Assistant Publisher for Sherman Publications, Inc. He has worked for the company since 1985. He has won numerous awards for column, editorial and feature writing as well as for photography. He has two, sons Shamus and Sean and resides in the area. To read archived copies of his columns, click on his name, just under his picture up top . . . He can be e-mailed at: don@dontrushmedon.com